As part of its hair dye strategy, the European Commission has banned 22 hair dye substances. These substances include 2,3-Naphthalenediol, 4-Chloro-2-Aminophenol, 4-Hydroxyindole, 3,4-Diaminobenzoic acid and more.

According to a commission statement, the hair dye substances were banned because they lacked safety files. The ban was a result of the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Products (SCCP) advising the commission that a scientific study had produced evidence that certain hair dyes could lead to bladder cancer after long term use.

The ban will take effect on December 1, 2006. In total, the cosmetics industry has submitted 115 safety files on hair dye substances for evaluation by the SCCP. The commission is expected to release its report on the remaining hair dye substances in October 2006.

"The hair dyes in question are not currently used in hair colouring products," reported the CTPA in a recent press release. The organization further explained that "Hair colorants are one of the most thouroughly studied consumer products on the market today and their safety is supported by a wealth of scientific research."